SAN DIEGO — Zuby Ejiofor may not have been named to one of the Associated Press’ three All-American teams, but his former coach sees one of the best players in the country in the St. John’s forward.
Kansas coach Bill Self raved about Ejiofor on Thursday, and sure didn’t sound like he was thrilled about the potential of facing him in a second-round matchup if both the Jayhawks and Johnnies win their opening-round games.
“I love Zuby. But not surprised at all that he’s a pro,” Self said as No. 4 Kansas was preparing to meet 13th-seeded California Baptist on Friday night at Viejas Arena. “Not surprised at all that he’s done extremely well. Rick [Pitino] was obviously a great fit for him.
“I’ve enjoyed watching him grow, be a complete player, because when you talk about complete, you’re talking about a skill set of posting [up], drawing fouls, using both hands, passing, stretching [the floor], blocking and altering [shots].”
A top-50 high school recruit out of Garland, Texas, Ejiofor spent one year at Kansas and saw limited playing time.
Self tried to keep him, but Ejiofor transferred after the Jayhawks landed Michigan star forward Hunter Dickinson.
At St. John’s, Ejiofor has developed into one of the top big men in the sport, the Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year this season.
Asked about the All-American snub, the high-character Ejiofor predictably took the high road, saying the opinion of his teammates and coaches is what matters to him most.
Pitino joked that Ejiofor has “10 million people kissing his ass.”
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“The AP writers don’t always get it right. But he’s one of the top players,” Pitino said. “You all know it. I don’t have to tell you that. But, like I said, he’s gotten so much love. There’s nobody going to replace him in my mind as a head coach.
“I don’t think I’ve enjoyed coaching a player as much since 1987 when I coached Billy Donovan.”
Ejiofor certainly has impressed Self.
“When I say All-American, to me he’s an All-American,” the Kansas coach said. “You lead the 10th-ranked team in the country in scoring, rebounding, assists and blocked shots, you’re playing at as high a level as anybody.”
